Found: Deputies arrest two Flagler fugitives

Johnnie Spydale Thomas Jr. and Jayla Teyanna Steward were taken to the Flagler County Detention Facility without bond.

Working in conjunction with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested fugitives Johnnie Spydale Thomas Jr. and Jayla Teyanna Steward on Sunday, Dec. 3, according to a news release by the Sherrif’s Office.

Detectives received a tip that Thomas, 24, was located at 52 Filbert Lane in Palm Coast. Deputies made contact with Steward, 19, when they arrived at the scene. According to the release, Steward told deputies no one was in the residence but eventually allowed investigators to search the home.

Thomas was found hiding inside the closet of the master bedroom and was taken into custody.

Thomas was initially sought for federal charges of sale and possession of cocaine and felony possession of a firearm as part of Operation Heat Seeker in September. He was arrested Sunday and charged with being a fugitive from justice and a county warrant for failure to appear. He was taken to the Flagler County Detention Facility without bond.

In addition, Steward had an active county warrant for her arrest for a violation of drug probation. She was taken to the detention facility, too, without bond.

“Another example of two agencies working together to get the bad guys off the streets,” Sheriff Rick Staly said in a release.